Chances for intercultural pastoral care: A SWOT-analysis of interviews with pastoral caregivers in Catholic migrant and multi-ethnic church communities in the Netherlands

Research has shown that migrant and multi-ethnic church communities positively contribute to the well-being of migrants. The current study focuses on ways to improve the pastoral accompaniment of Catholic migrant couples and intercultural couples and families offered by pastoral caregivers in the Netherlands. By means of a SWOT-analysis, ten interviews with pastoral caregivers, one interview and three written responses from diocesan staff members and one annual report have been analysed. Migrant and multi-ethnic church communities have a large offering in formation, catechesis and marriage preparation, besides liturgical activities and activities aimed at community building. Many Dutch-speaking church communities are involved in reorganisations due to a declining number of participants, which can be burdensome for pastoral caregivers and volunteers. Governmental asylum and migration restrictions call for greater responsibility for civil society organisations and church communities to care for migrants. Four opportunities for further development of pastoral practices are discussed: intercultural pastoral care; intercultural communication; promoting well-being and community building. Both migrant and native communities could profit when these pastoral practices are implemented.